Named after the former stud manager at Widden Stud, Unit Five has stamped his credential for the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast with a debut win at Caulfield Heath.
The Ciaron Maher-trained two-year-old took out the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) on Saturday and is qualified to now compete in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 17.
Sent out the $2.70 favourite under Thomas Stockdale, Unit Five scored a 2-¼ length win from Ko Phangan ($41) with Invincible Son ($6) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Maher said it was an easy watch as Unit Five dispatched his rivals which came after the son of Supido had won a Cranbourne 800m jump-out on Monday.
“I’m just rapt in the horse’s progression,” Maher said.
“We normally wouldn’t trial them that close, but he seems to find things easy.
“I can’t thank my team enough. I think that’s our fourth pre-Christmas two-year-old winner for the year, so the system is working very well and I’m very thankful for them as at this time of year, the two-year-olds is what it’s all about.”
Maher said he could see no reason why Unit Five, named after David Merricks who passed away a year ago having worked at Widden Stud for more than 30 years, could not head to the Gold Coast and be competitive in the Magic Millions.
The stable already has Tornado Valley aimed at the race, who Maher said was likely to be the number one seed at this stage, but added Unit Five deserves his chance.
“This bloke, timing wise, we thought we could then send him to Sydney and then he would be on the right leg for the Millions, but we’ll see how he comes through,” Maher said.
“He’s just so professional and I loved the way he presented and behaved himself in the yard.
“He was very calm behind the gates. He bounced and made Tom’s job pretty easy.
“Tom had a good winner for us the other day and he’s starting to make a habit of it, so it’s good to be associated with him.”
Stockdale said he was impressed with the way Unit Five went about his work after riding the colt in Monday’s jump-out.
“I didn’t let him off the chain too much at Cranbourne bearing in mind this was a possibility,” Stockdale said.
“It was great to see him extend off the bridle, which I hadn’t seen before, and he will improve.
“He’s still very raw, still very ‘looky’, but he has the natural talent to progress into a nice horse.”
